I’ve been following General Motors (GM) and the new Transformers movie and I think it is great that car companies want to advertise on movies. As I take a sip of cool, refreshing Coca-Cola, I realize that I don’t mind good product placement now and again.  But I’m not really hoping for anything great from this next movie.  In fact I’m anticipating disappointment.

I liked the first Transformers movie.  It was a fair plot, plenty of humor, lots of action, and a chance to see the new Camaro.  But the Camaro is the exact thing that is bothering me about the new movie.  Apparently GM has decided that some changes needed to be made to the car, though it is still the same color and basic shape, but that doesn’t bother me to much.  What bothers me is this, the Camaro should have been ready to be purchased after the first movie.  Don’t advertise cars that don’t exist.  I want to drive “Bumble-Bee” not wait two years to see one at Barrett Jackson and yet still have to wait till 2010 to get a ride in one.  Could you imagine how much money GM could have made on Camaros with the “Bumble Bee” paint job if the car was ready for the release of the Movie?

This year GM has been showing a bunch of cars at the Chicago auto show that are going to be in the Transformers 2, and guess what?  They don’t exist either.  GM is going to be putting a new Stingray Corvette, the Chevy Beat concept, and the car that really makes me angry, the Volt.  That car doesn’t even have a real sales date, so why advertise it?  I think the Volt is  going to be great but when am I going to be able to drive back an forth from work without using a drop of fuel?  Maybe GM is trying to get interest back into the car, I don’t know.

The whole allure of Transformers growing up to me was  My cousin’s VW bug could be an Autobot, my Dad’s pick-up could be an Autobot,  and the 911 Turbo next to me could be an Autobot.  There is no allure if I don’t get to see it, touch it, and listen to it.

I’m just frustrated.  If you are going to be advertising cars in your movie please, please let them be available for a test drive.  Well I guess I’ll just have to see how everything pans out with the movie and GM.

And here are some cars

The video and all pictures are © GM Corp.

Suzuki is leading the way in the new street motorcycles that it is releasing for 2008, and it has one of the most versatile line-ups in the industry. One of the newest additions is the “B-King” a naked sport/standard motorcycle that takes the crown on two fronts.

The first is speed.

This motorcycle has been built with the legendary Hayabusa 1340cc engine. Making this the fastest, naked bike on the planet. The engine has been re-tuned slightly so as not to take away from the Hayabusa’s title of fastest production motorcycle. In addition to the engine, the “King” is equipped with typical Hayabusa components like inverted front forks, adjustable rear suspension, and front and rear disc brakes making it not very light at 520 lbs, dry. Another thing that is not so light is the $12,899.00 MSRP.

But I said there were two things that “B-King” takes the crown for 2008 and that is the most unattractive motorcycle to date. I can’t really explain what happened between the concept that was revealed and what went into production. The concept has a more aggressive stance, looks lower and has huge wheels, where as the production “B-King” has terrible looking mirrors, wheels off of what look like a GS500F and a very upright stance. There is one feature that Suzuki did leave from the concept and that was the duel coffee can mufflers shoved under the tail. Seriously? It looks like Suzuki picked-up what was left of the meteorite from the movie Armageddon and slapped a couple coffee cans and wheels on it and called it good.

I guess if I want Hayabusa power, lighter weight, and better looks, I should stick with the sexy Hayabusa which, by the way, happens to be $900 dollars less on the MSRP then the “B-King”. The extra $900 might as well be the nails in the coffin. They should have named it “Suc-King”…

[Austin: I cannot stand the way this motorcycle looks. I disagree with Allen about concept to production changes. The concept looks better but only slightly. They both look like crap, and I am actually surprised that they brought this into production at all. The side view is one thing but from the top, the tail is HUGE. I am looking for more pictures to post on this beast. ]

Interview with the representative from G2 Cycles. Allen: I wanted to put into perspective the performance of this vehicle. The Ferrari Enzo, your modern day super-car, can take a turn at 1.02 Gs. Why is 1 G important? 1 G or gravity is the same amount of force applied to your body that you experience everyday that holds you to the earth. Now apply that force in a turn. The G2 can do two times that force in a turn. Impressive? I think so.

What about acceleration? The average pick-up truck has more horsepower then the G2. Yes, 180 horsepower doesn’t seem like much but combine that with an 800 pound curb weight and you get a rocket. A stock Corvette can not accelerate faster then 4.0 seconds this can.

So what you get. A two seater , 3-wheeled vehicle that can turn faster then an Enzo Ferrari, out accelerate a Corvette and cost less then a base Solstice ($22,000). I think I might want one.

We spent the evening at the weekly car show that goes on at the Scottsdale Pavillions. This event has gotten quite large over the past few years. Last night’s turnout was no different. Hundreds of cars and bikes of all makes and models. Allen had the only ‘86′ there however.

If you have been following any of the blogs up to this point you know I’m very particular about what I like. It doesn’t mean that I don’t like other motorcycles or cars that don’t meet particular requirements. For instance, I really like the Mini Cooper even though it is front wheel drive it is rated in my top ten out of all the cars I have driven. It is that I have high regard for vehicles that meet my stringent requirements. In other words they are perfect for me. I thought I would write this one on some motorcycles that I find meet my requirements.

First off is the best motorcycle that I have ever ridden. The Suzuki SV650. This bike is the most versatile, under rated and all around great bike on the planet. They make everything for them. I’m not joking about that either. There are so many aftermarket parts accessories for this motorcycle it is incredible, not to mention if you cannot find a part take it off of a GSX-R. Just about all the components are interchangeable. The SV also has its own racing league. But wait it gets better. You can get a SV650 in a sport model or standard with the only difference being a fairing. I like the standard model because it is naked. The SV can be a sport-bike, Cafe racer, steetfighter, or a daily rider. The final kicker is the insurance is cheaper then any 600cc sport bike like the GSX-R or Honda CBRs. Now this bike is not as fast as a 600cc sport-bike but it will keep up around the corners. The low range torque makes it a joy to ride anywhere. Suzuki hit a homerun with the bike they day they started production.

[Austin: I love the SV650.  I am still trying to get mine working (waiting for money to come in) again. There will be more on it, but of the bikes that I have ridden it stands apart for its funability.  It just feels so right while sitting on it.  It is like a girly bike with so much grunt.  Check out SVRider.com to see the variations of that they can look like.]

Which leads me to its new competitor. The Kawasaki 650 ninja. This is one of the skinniest bikes I have ever seen with subtle and beautiful styling. I have yet to had the opportunity to ride one but from what I have read and the few people I have talked to that own them, they say this bike awesome.

[Austin: I have mixed feelings about this bike, which is purely speculation. I haven't ridden it and I would really like to. It seems like such a beginner bike. I don't see a lot of room for it to be modified and it just seems a bit upright. I dig the suspension and the way that it looks. I need to get on one.  SOON. ]

Then there is the Triumph 675. I don’t even know why I’m putting this in my favorite list except that there is something unknown that draws me to this motorcycle like a moth to the flame. This is an all out sport bike and for its size it has comparable power to and older 1000cc motorcycle or a new model 750cc motorcycle. The bike is super thin from the straight 3 engine. That’s right 3 cylinders with a perfect balance shaft that promises to keep away any vibrations at all RPM ranges.

[Austin: Yeah this bike is just plain sexy. It is one of the best looking bikes. I even love that color. Something about the british bikes in general I really like.]

Finally there is the Ducati Monster. This is one of the most attractive motorcycle on the face of the planet and it is naked. The truss style frame flows magically into the seat which is accented by the dual under-tail exhaust, and single headlight. Not to mention Ducati’s legendary performance. The Monster goes right back to the original Cafe Racers of the ’60s.

[Austin: This bike has so much cafe racer in it that is makes me a little uncomfortable.  I like the cafe racer style but not the tail.  Overwhelmingly I like the Ducatis and I think the monster is an awesome bike.]

So that’s my wish list. It is subject to change without notice.

[Austin: Ok Allen, so its time to start riding these.  Call the manufacturers and lets get some keys and the cameras rolling. Its fall and the 191 is calling]

Allen posted about how great his bike was and all of that. I decided that rather than commenting on what he had to say, I could say the same thing only much different.

I have always had a fondness for motorcycles, though I had never really ridden one until I was just turning 21. I did have a 50cc Italian scooter, but it didn’t even have a clutch so I don’t really count it as a proper motorcycle. (Though I did love it and would like to fix it up one of these days) My problem was that I didn’t have the slightest clue about how a motorcycle functioned. I found out from Allen that there was a class, and we had gotten a bit of money for Christmas, so I took the MSF class.

MSF was great. If you are thinking about riding, I would highly recommend it. Many people think it isn’t necessary, but there is a lot that is covered, and while you could easily learn how to ride on your own, it is nice to know the other things that you wouldn’t think about. Its isn’t very expensive and often times you can get a discount on your insurance.

Beginner Bikes

Here is what I mean when I say “beginner bike.” I am talking about a bike that is handles nicely, is comfortable. The power is not overwhelming when you smack on the throttle. You are going to be able to ride it safely and still be able to have fun. Some are more bland than others.

I looked long and hard into beginner bikes. There are not a lot of great options, and this is where Allen and I differ significantly. Yes you can start on a large bike, but you are also more likely to take it too fast too soon. Most people don’t understand that a bike is about handling and not about speed. Any bike will go fast, but certain bikes can out-handle even the fastest. Even a Ninja 250. Some sports bikes that make decent first bikes are as follows. Kawasaki Ninja 250, Ninja 500, Suzuki GS500, and probably even the Katana 600.

The Katana is big. Its long and heavy. Its also not got a ton of power comparatively for its engine size. However it is very manageable if you are looking to get started. It isn’t the ideal first bike but its okay.

The Ninja 250 is a lot of fun. You can have a lot of fun on it. It is lousy for long trip, but you can fling it any which way you want (except vertical for the most part). It handles very well and it is extremely light. It is not however very well rounded. It makes a great commuter, and a fantastic first bike, but it maxes out fairly quickly and if you want to go on a long trip you are going to have a hard time at highway speeds as your engine will be screaming at 75.

The Suzuki GS500. The one Allen had was air cooled and un-faired. He liked it because it was his, but it was a fairly boring bike to ride. It makes a GREAT first bike. It is light and low (which is great for Allen) and it handles well. You don’t feel like you need to go a million mph on it. And frankly you couldn’t. It topped out fairly early. If you are going to go on group rides then you will be left behind. Great commuter though. When I was in South Africa it was the bike of choice for couriers. I saw tons of them and they got beat up but they were everywhere. Oh and ask Allen how many miles he put on his GS.

My first bike was a 1998 Kawasaki Ninja 500. This bike is extremely outdated now. It is still for sale and it hasn’t changed at all except for the colors. This current model started in 1994 and has been unchanged for the past 14 years. The bike handles nicely and has loads of parts available for upgrading. Mine had a full Muzzy exhaust, and the carbs had been jetted. I picked it up in beautiful shape for $2500 with 19,000 miles (i think). It is a sportbike at heart. It has a 14,500 redline and runs like a champ. It almost can keep up with the faster bikes, unfortunately the brakes aren’t so great so stopping with them is actually a bit hard. The bike is very controllable and nicely balanced. Allen is going to mention that I dropped it, but it was on trolley tracks and unfortunately the small front tire fit right into them. It was a great first bike and I would recommend it to anyone. Oh and it could beat Allen’s any which way to Sunday.

I want to also mention that there are a few newer models out there that would make decent first bikes. I don’t think Allen agrees with these, but if you are concerned that you might want to upgrade quickly into a bigger bike, these are good suggestions.

The Suzuki SV650 and Kawasaki Ninja 650 and the new GSX650F (which replaces the Katana this year). These bikes bikes have marginally more power than the prior bikes, and a bit less than the Supersport bikes. I will get into these more on another post, but I would recommend looking into them seriously. Neither has neck-braking power, but they have plenty to have a great time with. I currently own an SV650, as has Allen, and while I like the supersports I find this to be the most reasonable, and confident bike I have ridden. I am going to do a full video review of my 01 SV650 soon. Also we will be contacting Kawasaki and Suzuki about getting some bikes to do some comparisons on. I would love to try out some of their new bikes.

Interested in learning to ride? Well, it is one of the greatest pleasures that I have found. I started on the first model year of this motorcycle. It is a…Suzuki GS500 and it is one of the best beginner motorcycles out there.

I had just graduated high school and was looking for an adventure so I decided that I would do motorcycle school. Which is the best way to start to ride because they teach you everything you need to know from how to operate the bike, avoid accidents, proper braking and if you get good at riding they have a stunt course as well. When you’re done with your eduaction from the school they give you a certificate for your motorcycle endorsement and WHAM, BAM, thank you MAAM, you’re good to go. Not to mention, you get to screw up their equipment so you don’t have to damage your motorcycle if you make a mistake learning.

I took the course, passed and got my motorcycle endorsement. Now that left me with what bike to purchase. I knew that I wanted a sportbike, but that is not what my Mom wanted me to get. I was 19, a legal adult so I bought a sportbike.

I was responsible and explained to her that I had purchased a beginner bike so I could be a confident rider. Choices are limited for a beginner sport bikes to pretty much a GS500, Ninja 500, or a Ninja 250. I bought a used 1989 GS500E with 21,000 miles on the clock for $1,000.

Here’s the problem when buying a bike that old, that has been laid down, and ridden hard it is likely to give you problems. Luckily, I was a mechanic in training (This bike pushed the limits of my training and patience at the time.). Here’s what I repaired: Rebuilt the carburetor’s six times in a row to get them to stop leaking, replaced all the leaking fuel hoses so it wouldn’t be a ball of fire between my legs, replaced the extremely noisy drive chain with a smaller front sprocket for acceleration, oh, and rebuilt the engine.

Why did I have to rebuild the engine on a motorcycle with only 21,000 miles on it? Because someone laid it down, let it pump all the oil out of the engine and rode it home. I can still smell the burnt rod bearings. MMM, MMM Good!

After all of that was done. It was a great bike and one that taught me to be a better rider. The engine is also awesome and Suzuki still puts it in their GS500F.

If you’re looking to get into riding this is a great start. Don’t be embarrassed either about riding this bike because it is only 500cc, most sport bike riders appreciate these motorcycles and someone who is willing to take the time to learn to ride the right way. I’ll tell you my experience with that on another blog.

I do have to admit Austin’s beginner bike was faster then mine but between the two of us, I made it look good.

Allen: I bet you’re wondering, why post about a motorcycle (maybe not)? We at 62mph like to review all thing motorized. I’d put a post about a go-ped if it could do 200 mph, but mostly because both Austin and I ride.

This is a gorgeous motorcycle. I picked the color for the picture that I liked but there are many options including a black/ metallic gray combo that will cost you extra because only 500 are going to be produced. I can only imagine that this bike like its predecessor packs some serious punch.

I have had the opportunity to ride a 2005 CBR1000RR. It’s fast. Too fast (if there is such a thing?). Now I only weigh 125 lbs. I know I’m a lightweight but it helps make just about anything fast including the Suzuki GS500E that I started riding on.

My friend had purchased a CBR1000RR and offered to let me ride it. How could I refuse. I hopped on and pulled out of his driveway (helmet on my head.). I moved to a quiet street with no driveways or any place that someone could jump out in front of me. I twisted to half throttle from a 3 mph roll, the back tire spun and started smoking.

“Uh, crap. This not my bike, don’t lay it down.” I told myself. My heart was racing and I eased off to let the tire grip. I recovered.

I proceeded up to a 20 mph roll and twisted it back to half throttle. The tachometer screamed up to 9,500 rpm. That same instance I saw the night sky. I stayed with it a little in hopes that the power would ease off but it didn’t. The front kept climbing as the stars streaked across the night sky. At that instance, I decided it would be best to let go of the throttle. I front came down and I glanced at the speedo. 70 mph, in first gear.

“Dear Lord this is unbelievable!” I mutter under my breath. Especially at only half throttle. I couldn’t bear to think about what full throttle would be like especially with me on it.

I did the only logical thing at that point. I drove it back to my friend, handed him the keys with my Adrenalin stricken hand, and told him “Thanks for the ride, I’ve had enough.”

The truth is, I liked the bike. But I would never recommend some get on one with no riding experience . I had about a year and a half under my belt and could see how someone could get into trouble real fast on one. I don’t think I would like to own one but I’ll never pass up a chance to ride one again. If you’re still interested, and I hope you are. The specs are below.

Specifications

Model: CBR1000RR

Engine Type: 999cc liquid-cooled inline four-cylinder

Bore and Stroke: 76mm x 55.1mm

Compression ratio: 12.3:1

Valve Train: DOHC; four valves per cylinder

Induction: Dual Stage Fuel Injection (DSFI)

Ignition: Computer-controlled digital transistorized with three-dimensional mapping

Transmission: Close-ratio six-speed

Final Drive: #530 O-ring-sealed chain

Suspension
Front: 43mm inverted HMAS cartridge fork with spring preload, rebound and compression damping adjustability;
4.7 inches travel
Rear: Unit Pro-Link HMAS single shock with spring pre-load, rebound and compression damping adjustability; 5.4 inches travel

Brakes
Front: Dual radial-mounted four-piston calipers with full-floating 320mm discs
Rear: Single 220mm disc

Tires
Front: 120/70ZR-17 radial
Rear: 190/50ZR-17 radial

Wheelbase: 55.4 inches

Rake (Caster angle): 23.3°

Trail: 96.2mm (3.8 inches)

Seat Height: 32.3 inches

Fuel Capacity: 4.7 gallons, including 1.06-gallon reserve

Colors:
Red/Black
Black/Metallic Grey†
Black/Metallic Silver
Pearl Yellow/Black
Candy Dark Red/Metallic Silver

Curb Weight*: TBD

*Includes all standard equipment, required fluids and full tank of fuel- ready to ride.

† Limited color run, less than 500

Meets current EPA standards.